Introduction
The pay gap between men and women is a fact of life. In the United States, women earn about 24 cents for every dollar earned by men. The gap varies by profession, but it remains a problem across many industries. Say’s Dr. Nadine Haddad, there are countless reasons behind this disparity in earnings, but one that has received less attention is how women apply for research funding—and how they’re treated when they do so. As we’ll see below, there are clear barriers facing women when they look to apply for competitive grants or scholarships aimed at advancing their careers in science and higher education.
Women still earn about 24 cents for every dollar earned by men.
Women still earn about 24 cents for every dollar earned by men. The gap is even wider when it comes to promotions, with women being promoted at half the rate of men in corporate America. And while they may be getting paid less than their male counterparts, they’re also working longer hours: Women are more likely than men to work full time and to have multiple jobs outside of their primary one (according to a 2015 study by the U.S Department of Labor).
This isn’t just an issue for individual women; it has lasting consequences for society as a whole. Studies show that when women make less money than men do, families suffer–and so do children’s educational outcomes.
Women are less likely to apply for research funding.
Women are less likely to apply for research funding.
Women have less access to mentors, networks and information.
Women experience a gender bias when applying for research funding.
Women are less likely to apply for research funding and, when they do, they are less likely than men to be funded.
This gender bias can be attributed partly to the fact that women tend not only to have fewer resources but also may face discrimination in hiring processes.
Efforts to level the playing field are needed to help women overcome the barriers they face in the pursuit of higher education.
Efforts to level the playing field are needed to help women overcome the barriers they face in the pursuit of higher education. Women are still earning less than men, and they face additional challenges when it comes to applying for research funding. When it comes down to it, there’s a gender bias when it comes to awarding research grants and fellowships–and this needs change if we want women’s voices heard by academia at large.
Conclusion
We believe that there is a need for more women to pursue higher education and research funding. In order to help address this issue, we have established a scholarship program for women in STEM fields who are pursuing their doctorates in the United States. Our goal is to help provide financial assistance and support so that these women can succeed in achieving their academic goals.
